London Archives - Page 76 of 122

20Oct

By Akshay RahejaNo Comments

London

The Poltergeist – Arcola Theatre

Sasha, once a renowned child artist, is now a stationer and haunted by the artist he could never be. The Poltergeist is a play about art, family and memory. In many ways, the experience of this play felt like a good rock concert. Just as one feels the drops and hits of the distortion of an electric guitar, one is hit by the movement, switch and the strong performance by Joseph Potter who seems to be playing an overwhelming number of roles (instruments) in the play. The heavy movements of the performance resemble the sensibilities of ritual theatre made by the ingredients of the alienation of modern subjects and the rage of a failed artist. “3…2…1…” Sasha expects a response from his partner, and we wait. The performer's intensity and the rhythm of narrating the story are central t...

Something In The Air – Jermyn Street Theatre

19Oct

By Caroline JamesNo Comments

London

Something In The Air – Jermyn Street Theatre

The world premiere of ‘Something In The Air’ by Peter Gill was staged at Jermyn Street Theatre. A beautiful and poignant reminder that no matter the age of the outer shell, the inner memories of youth remain. We arrive in a care home where we meet Colin, played by Ian Gelder, and Alex, played by Christopher Godwin. They begin to recount their youth and the boys they had loved. Meanwhile we see, what at first, feels like two younger versions of themselves acting out various scenes from the past. The most lovely moments coming between Gareth played by Sam Thorpe-Spinks and Alex, having a conversation that spans time. It would have been lovely to see more of this. Juxtaposing the reminiscences nicely were two visitors in the modern day setting of the care home. They were Alex’s niec...

Nigel Osner: Still Ticking! – Etcetera Theatre

17Oct

By Louise PennNo Comments

London

Nigel Osner: Still Ticking! – Etcetera Theatre

Barrister turned cabaret performer Nigel Osner has had a busy life. In twenty-five years on the stage (“it sounds better than quarter of a century”) this lively septuagenarian has formed his new show following his near-death experience during heart surgery last year. Over the course of an hour Osner looks at the songs he has written, the places he has been to become “self-sufficient” and “comfortable” with his ageing self and performs a handful of character-driven monologues. He tells us of the musicals he wrote – Rock Heaven, with its posturing star and cyborgs, never got produced, but Magic in Ravenswood, a children’s fantasy based on Osner’s own book, did – and his earlier shows, notably Angel to Vampire! which won acclaim at the Buxton Fringe. In personality, Osner presents as...

The Canterville Ghost – Southwark Playhouse

17Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

The Canterville Ghost – Southwark Playhouse

Coming up in the lift from the underground on my way to the Southwark Playhouse (fast becoming one of my favourite theatre venues - lovely space, absolutely delightful staff, reasonably priced wine) I saw a poster advertising The Canterville Ghost which proclaimed the warning “Contains puppet profanity”. I found this a very pleasing prospect - who doesn’t like a sweary puppet - and so I went into the performance hoping for some silly, joyful giggles. Which is, happily, exactly what I got; a charming, hugely entertaining evening of slick theatre and performances delivered by a talented cast. While the show is based on the Oscar Wilde short story of the same name, the setup is very different - a play within a play if you will. A theatre group consisting of a musician/compere, a ventriloqu...

17Oct

By Khushboo ShahNo Comments

London

Forgotten Voices – Canal Cafe Theatre

When the personal is blended with the political in theatre, the outcome is likely to stir the audience with myriad reflections on the unjustness of life. This was indeed the case with Forgotten Voices written by David Moorhead, directed by Margaret Connell and performed by Shareesa Valentine at Canal Cafe Theatre, quite befittingly, as part of the Black History Month celebration. Simple but not simplistic, the play is ambitiously written, encompassing multiple complex layers of Moorhead’s grandmother Eva Moorhead Kadalie’s biographical episodes and running parallel, the South African history of apartheid. Thus, the play skilfully serves the dual purpose of narrating the story of a strong, affective, and resilient woman and educating the audience on the ethos of the times and life of South ...

17Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

London

Wormholes – The Other Palace

Dracunculus medinensis, otherwise known as the Guinea worm. After making its way into the human body, no symptoms of its presence are shown until (like many other things) it will start to eat you from the inside out. ‘Wormholes’ is a modern age, solo performance which I experienced at The Other Palace studio. It followed the story of a woman in a mental facility recalling her life and what had led her to the facility she is in now. The woman is interviewed and at first seems ordinary, regular. However, the further into this hour-long performance we experience, the more sympathetic we as an audience become. Written by Emily Jupp, this show explores the theme of domestic abuse and raises awareness to the fact that such a heinous feat could happen to anyone. After we learn what happens ...

Witness For The Prosecution – London County Hall

15Oct

By Ely KingNo Comments

London

Witness For The Prosecution – London County Hall

Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution recently had its 5 Year anniversary performance and it’s clear to see why it has been so successful. This play tells the story of Leanord Vole and his court trial following his arrest for murder. From beginning to end, the storyline has numerous twists and turns, keeping the audience captivated. Agatha Christie has somehow perfected the balance of being able to keep everyone on their toes by adding in curveballs but still having her storylines be straightforward to understand and follow. This play is one of the most universally enjoyable murder mysteries for any age, somehow including drama, romance and just a touch of blood - in no particular order. Before the show even begins, the immersion into the story starts. Upon enteri...

15Oct

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

The Moors – The Hope Theatre

‘Tis the season for spooky revivals, cobwebbed drama & cheap Halloween tat in the supermarkets. Creeping into this uneven milieu, like fog from an icy lake is the professional premiere of Jen Silverman’s gothic romp, The Moors. Silverman has taken Bronte as a backbone and given the whole haunted hoo-ha a queer, feminist twist, with a knowing nod to the comedic quirks of the genre. The excellent cast, all graduated from full time actor training in the jaws of the pandemic, with much of their theatrical education gleaned online. It’s a joy to see fresh talent claiming the stage and given an opportunity to flex their chops. As a venue, The Hope is a prime example of ‘black box’ theatre in a poky room above a pub. In a such an intense, cheek-by-jowl environment, there’s n...

14Oct

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Good – Harold Pinter Theatre

The Harold Pinter theatre brings us a revival from C.P Taylor exploring the idea of what makes a person ‘good’. Set in the early stages of World War 2, Halder (David Tennant) is picked up by the SS regarding his writing about Pro-Euthanasia after recently having his mother move in. His best friend Maurice (Elliot Levey) acts as a soundboard to his ramblings and stories as he endures the slow evil creeping upon his Jewish community. Meanwhile, Helen (Sharon Small) plays the part of wife at home although finding it more and more difficult to keep it all afloat. This piece explores brilliantly the idea that evil can suffocate us without acknowledging it, that a person may continue to convince themselves they’re good although actively contributing to the disaster. Tennant’s character is fla...

14Oct

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

London

La Performance – Tron Theatre

In La Performance, we peek behind the pretence of theatre and language. Instead of words, the performers use non-verbal techniques to tell the story, drawing on the Commedia dell’Arte tradition. On the stage of the intimate Changing House space, we see a dressing room in a theatre. The composer (Ross Whyte) enters and takes the outer layers of wood off his piano so that its inner workings are laid bare. What about the inner workings and inside the people on stage? Will we see those too? Him (Ramesh Rayappen) enters and begins his warm up with frantic, anxious energy. He warms up his hands and arms, acknowledging the language of gestures that is used. Her (Emmanuelle Laborit) joins him. She is chic and disdainful in a little black dress. Th...